“This is the first time that a movement and not a person has been awarded the peace prize—a timely choice. Climate change is escalating fast, increasing inequality and racism are feeding divisiveness, and we are in the middle of the worst refugee crisis since World War II. Yet many establishment leaders across the world stick their heads in the sand or turn their backs on justice, fairness and equality…”

Additionally, the non-profit organization is funded by The University of Sydney in Australia. The City of Sydney also supports the foundation promoting global peace, justice, and non-violence according to its official website. Furthermore, the ceremony awarding the Black Lives Matter movement will take place in Sydney in November.

Though, the Sydney Peace Foundation announced the Black Lives Matter movement as its winner on May 23rd.

“It comes at a time when this movement is more important than ever — with an administration in office that is so openly racist, homophobic, anti-women, anti-children, anti-labour, anti-immigrant… Black Lives Matter is our call to action, it is a tool to re-imagine a world where black people are free to exist, free to live, and a tool for our allies to show up for us…”